What is flight watch?

• A. Maintains current information on the flight and monitors all factors that might affect the Operational Flight Plan
• B. A watch that states flight time
• C. Watching an animation of the flight route
• D. Monitoring a flight's progress, providing such operational information may be requested by the pilot-in- command, and notifying appropriate air operator and search and rescue authorities if the flight is overdue and missing

Answer: (A)

Flight watch is the service that keeps the flight’s information current and continuously monitors factors that could affect the Operational Flight Plan. This means tracking conditions like en route weather, fuel status, aircraft performance, potential alternates, airspace changes, and other factors that could require updating the plan. The aim is to provide timely, relevant data to the pilot and dispatcher so the OFP remains feasible and any needed adjustments can be made before problems arise. It’s not just about stating the flight time, nor about animating the route, and while flight-following can involve overdue notifications, the core function of flight watch is the ongoing information management and monitoring that supports the OFP.